Big-name principals behind Newsweek and the Daily Beast have resumed merger talks, insiders said late yesterday.

Talks between the online news firm, owned by media mogul Barry Diller and led by Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown, and Newsweek’s new owner, Sidney Harman, broke down Oct. 18 amid reports Harman didn’t want to cede power as an opinion leader.

Sources at the time said Brown had insisted upon full editorial control of the combined newsroom.

Now sources say that after a three-week cooling off period, talks are back on.

Neither Brown nor Harman could be reached for comment at presstime.

Harman, a 92-year-old stereo tycoon, bought the struggling magazine from the Washington Post Co. in August for $1 and the assumption of up to $40 million in liabilities.